OC Music Awards 2012 Nominees Announced: How the Process Works

​UPDATED:Yesterday we talked to the OC Music Awards about claims that the nomination process isn't exactly transparent, with some OC Music Awards Academy members also nominated as musicians in various categories (see more after the jump.) Today I got an email from Weekly reader Nathan Hoffmann, asking about the OC Music Awards nomination process. In his email, he says, "The problem is when I went to research how this was done of course its a panel of promoters, venue owners, music critics etc. That's all fair, except on closer examination two groups nominated this year, I and I and Speach Impediments are on a record label AcroplisRPM, owned by panel member Daniel Park. Now if this is not a conflict of interest, then I don't know what is."

Again we asked OC Music Awards head honcho Ashley Eckenweiler to comment on this, and here's what she has to say: "Speaking further to my initial response, we asked those directly involved with musicians to not nominate the artists that they are directly working with as a member of the Academy. Our entire Academy is involved in the music industry. Multiple members are affiliated with local record labels. They are on the Academy because they have a knowledge of the local music scene in OC."

Original post, Jan 3, 3:59 p.m.: Speaking of the OC Music Awards, the Awards Academy released the 2012 OCMusicAwards nominees today. Musicians were nominated in 21 Academy-selected categories, such as Best Album, Best Song, Best New Artist and more.

That there are more than a few nominees from the 2011 list on this year's selection is expected. Some are understandable (Thrice put out a great album this year, and Young the Giant definitely established themselves as a brand in 2011); others, not so much. (C'mon. BLOK again? Aren't there any other hip-hop acts from OC?) And aside from newcomers Jeramiah Red, I don't see a lot of new names spanning the categories. (See the whole list after the jump.)

A few people have questioned the fact that a few Academy members were also on the nominee list. Danny Mihai, AKA DJ Thrifty Lips (who is a talent buyer for the Continental Room) and Robert McLaughlin (aka DJ Bobby Soul) of Boogaloo Assassins were nominated for Best DJ and Best Latin, respectively.

Ashley Eckenweiler, who heads the OC Music Awards, says this doesn't damage the award body's credibility: "Academy members that are also musicians were asked to not nominate themselves upon joining the Academy," she says. "No one has yet to excuse themselves for any reason."

According to the press release, the Outstanding Achievement Awards for OC Impact and Lifetime Achievement will be announced the February 1. The Best Live Band and Best Live Acoustic Showcase Series finalists will be announced after the last Showcase on February 15. The People's Choice Award nominees will be announced on Monday, February 27.

(You can cast your FARMER JOHN FAN VOTE for your favorite Showcase artist to help them advance to their category Finals, and vote online for your favorite band in Orange County to receive the People's Choice Award.)

2012 OC Music Awards Nominees
(Nominees listed in alphabetical order per category)

Best Album
The Aquabats - Hi-Five Soup!
Jeramiah Red - Ghost Tracks from the Getty
Social Distortion - Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes
Thrice - Major/Minor
Young The Giant - Young The Giant

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My good friend James Dugan Demongey played the drums for portrait of a nightmare. He has had a bad time this October. He had a serious infection in his system. They removed three vertebrae in his neck, he has not been able to walk. He is doing physical therapy and can finally move his legs a bit. He is at Anaheims Kaiser hospital.

nothing more important that being nominated for a very unimportant awards ceremony. no one ever goes on to be an established band winning this thing and i'm confused by local bands scrambling for a peoples choice nomination it really doesn't mean anything.

It is absolutely appropriate and understandable that the Academy members are from the local music industry and have business relationships with artists or groups who are nominated. As an artist you want to be judged by your peers.

Even though I don't agree, I can even concede that it's understandable if the Academy members themselves are eligible for nomination as long as they are nominated by other Academy members. What is obviously NOT appropriate is that Academy members be allowed to nominate those artists with whom they have a business relationship. That is a clear conflict of interest and disadvantage to musicians and artists who are not fortunate enough to have a "benefactor" in the Academy.

My question is the same as Truth Seeker; who is responsible for vetting the nominees and insuring they're not nominated by an Academy member who might gain from them winning their category?

I totally agree with the writer of OC weekly Lilledeshan Bose, It's common knowladge about other groups like Thrice etc. Like she said "C'mon. BLOK again? Aren't there any other hip-hop acts from OC?) And aside from newcomers Jeramiah Red, I don't see a lot of new names spanning the categories. (See the whole list after the jump.) The HIP HOP needs attention all you artists need to demand it! You all work hard in this genere so lets not let a few take from the MANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So Ashley Eckenweiler you are basically agreeing with Nathan Hoffmann, In that your panel is directly involved with groups or record lables that get nominated by the board. You simply ask them to use integrity and not lean twords there affilates or parteners. Hmmmmmm, so thank you for affirming that you have no quality control other than someones word.Quite frankley the evidence speaks for itself, people want the truth but they don't always get it.

Favoritism runs rampid in the press in OC. Only covering events & shows with venues who advertise with OC Weekly! Operating this way, puts distance between the music scene and a respected weekly paper.

There are a few bands that I see In multiple catagories. Too many catagories. Looks like someone has an agenda. With that being said, I'm glad that whoever is recognizing ALL this local talent with nominations, is doing so.

Yep, we sponsor the OCMAs, but what's hypocritical? That we're telling people how the Academy works when readers have questions? Or that we're even covering it? And, if you look at the list of who's in the Academy, you'll see that I am part of the selection process (and a judge at the showcases as well). Totally untrue that we cover only events and shows with venues who advertise. We've covered house parties, benefits, etc. The coverage is merit-based; I don't even know which venues advertise with us.

Do you know what DJ/Producers do? They spend more time making music and playing than most "MUSICIANS" in todays industry. Get your facts straight before you talk about a lifestyle you apparently have no idea about.